ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1918, Page 3

ON THE WESTERN FRONT.

[per TRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIwnT.] The Hifth Commissioner reports from WELLINGTON, This Day. London 16th July at 10.40 p.m. today. The Germans were unable to resume the general attack broken last night. Enemy local attacks wore boatcii back evorv'vhoro. j LONDON, July 16th, 12.30. : Sir Douglas Haig reports near Hebuterne yesterday the New Zealanders made af successful raid taking 30 priso.urs and twelve machine guns

OFFICIAL NEWS

GENERAL FOCH SATISFIED. (Received This Day at noon.) ' LONDON, July 17. The Australian press association representative sa'ys General Foch is satisfied with the situation in the extended area of attack. The enemy’s only progress to-day is in the Prunav sector, east of Rheims, where, despite terrihio iosses, he compelld tho French to retire behind the river Vesle, two miles from their original line. The small success was gained after repeated heavy assaults, aided by tanks. The ground won bears no comparison with the losses. The French line is practically unchanged west of Rheims. Owing to tho successful American counter-attack, the Germans have not progressed beyond Eeiuly, in the Marne Valley, this being the Maximum advance of five miles. The enemy are now subjecting Chalones to a long range bombardment, owing to their failure to reach tho town according to

AMERICAN SUCCESS. (Received This Dav at noon.) LONDON, July 17th

American official: —We co-operated with the French in yesterday’s battle eastward of Rheims, and repulsed the enemy attacks. V.'- maintained our positions at all points and captured r>v' soners and mn'chinewguns. Yesterday morning the enemy attempted, after artillery preparation, to attack our line on a front of 800 yards. The attack broke down under artillery fire.

A GERMAN DEFEAT.' (Received This Dav at noon.)PARIS, July 17.. The FVenchr stopped the Germans without calling in extra reserves. There is every indication of a German defeat.

BATTLE FLTTNCTUATES. (Received This Day at noon.)

WASHINGTON, July 10. A new German attack on the Americans compelled them to retire. They are now seeking to restore the positions. The battle is fluctuating.

PRINCE RUPPRECHT'rf RESERVES (Received This v af- IV •’'> ■> i- - LONDON, July 17.

Among Prince Rupprecht's reserves identified on the battlefront, appears third of those withdrawn from the Amiens front. Military circles are convinced that tho Germans are unable to simultaneously .attempt elsewhere anything on a similar scale. SITUATION GOOD. (Reuter’s Telegram.) (Received this day at ] .30 p.m.) LONDON, July 17. A French .Headquarters correspondent, writing last evening, says generally speaking, the enemy suffered a serious reverse, but it is too early to say tho attack' has been definitely repulsed. The situation may, however, be regarded as distinctly good. It is now clear •that tho enemy concentrated all his efforts,.on the offensive.

He employed fifty-six divisions, including many crack ones. There wore fourteen of each in the first line west and each of Rheims, and the same number in tho second line. Prisoners state the German army christened the battle “The Friedenstnrm,” or the Peace Attack. The correspondent says most of the ground lost was not particularly valuable. Moronvillers Massif had to be abandoned 'after hai)d fighting. The enemy holds t.lfc five crests of Cor del lot,' Blanc, Hantt, Voon, and Casque. The French did not attempt T-o' hold them strongly, thus avoiding' a large haul of prisoners when the front was withdrawn two or three miles to the Sou-ain-Perthe-Harles line.

Telegraphing at 11.30’. on Tuesday evening, the correspondent says the general attack was not renewed todav. Operations of a local character are expected, and a. stabilization of the lino will be reached in a few days. To-day’s operations arc dictated by the